Chapter 188 At those words, Sydney's expression froze for a moment. She fell silent before murmuring, "So that's how it is." Her relationship with Julian was even more shameful than she had imagined. It was no wonder Charlotte's behavior around him had never seemed strange. Sydney had been the one blind to the truth from beginning to end. It was no wonder Charlotte had appeared tonight, of all nights-New Year's Eve. She was here as Julian's future wife. Before Charlotte could reply, Eloise descended the stairs, her voice warm and affectionate. "Charlotte, when did you arrive?
Why didn't you have Jason call me?" Her tone carried the indulgence of a grandmother addressing a beloved future granddaughter-in-law. Charlotte, poised and composed, answered with a gentle smile, "Jason said you were napping, so I didn't want to disturb you." Eloise made her way to the head seat in the reception hall. "Since you've come today, your family won't mind, will they?" Charlotte stepped forward to support her arm, her voice tender. "Of course not.
My parents reminded me to spend time with you and Jules." It was the first time Sydney had ever heard someone of her generation, and of the opposite sex, call Julian by that name. Eloise patted Charlotte's hand approvingly before her gaze finally shifted to Sydney. When her eyes landed on Caleb beside her, her expression softened, just slightly. "Cal, Syd is a headstrong child. She hasn't caused your family any trouble, has she?" Eloise's words carried the affection of a grandmother, yet every syllable was edged with reproach. Sydney was used to it.
Eloise had spoken that way for years, about everyone. Caleb frowned and glanced at the quiet woman at his side before replying coolly, "Syd has never caused me trouble. No one in my family thinks her temper is bad. On the contrary, she's wonderful. Both my grandmother and my mother adore her." Eloise hesitated. "Is that so? Then perhaps this girl only shows her stubborn side in our household." "Grandmother," Caleb said, using the same address Sydney did. As he spoke, he slipped an arm around Sydney's shoulders, steady and protective. "Syd has the best temperament of anyone I've ever met.
Sometimes, I wonder what kind of home life she must have had to turn out this way." He smiled faintly. Each word landed with deliberate weight. "Could it be that the Sterling family isn't quite as generous and kind to her as the rumors suggest?" Eloise frowned. Weren't people saying Caleb's true love was his sister-in-law, that he had never cared for Sydney? Why did it look now as though he defended her at every turn? Her expression tightened at the pointed question, but Charlotte stepped in smoothly. "Mr. Hampton, what are you implying?
Even as an outsider, I can see perfectly well how kindly the Sterling family treats Syd." A lazy male voice cut across the air from behind. "What are you all talking about? Sounds lively." Sydney knew instantly who it was. The hall fell silent. In the Sterling family, no one was unafraid of Julian. Caleb turned, maintaining his faint smile. "We were just discussing whether the Sterling family has treated Syd well." Julian's face betrayed nothing.
His gaze slid to Caleb's hand resting on Sydney's shoulder, and he sneered, "You already know the answer to that, don't you?" 1/2 No, it had not been good. Caleb had known that years ago, when Sydney was still a little girl and he often visited the Sterling estate to see Julian. But even then, he had never cared about her situation. His sudden chivalry now only made it seem more laughable. Sydney could not tell whether Julian's words were meant for Caleb or Eloise. 2/2